According to the amended RPO, even if a political party participates in an alliance in the upcoming election, its candidates must compulsorily contest under their respective party symbols. BNP has called this provision “illogical and politically confusing” and demanded its cancellation.
On Tuesday (28 October) afternoon, a five-member BNP delegation led by permanent committee member Salahuddin Ahmed handed over a written letter to Dr. Asif Nazrul, Advisor on Law and Parliamentary Affairs, at the Secretariat.
After the meeting, Salahuddin Ahmed stated, “Before the RPO amendment, we had clearly expressed in the Election Commission meeting that this decision would weaken alliance politics. Today, Law Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul assured us that he will consider the matter seriously.”
Earlier, on Sunday, BNP also submitted a petition to the Election Commission regarding the same issue, requesting that allied parties be allowed to contest under the symbol of the main party.
Notably, in previous elections, smaller alliance parties, with the Election Commission’s permission, used the symbols of major parties—such as BNP’s “Sheaf of Paddy”—to contest votes. However, under the amended RPO, all parties must now field candidates under their own symbols, which BNP claims will significantly limit the influence of alliance politics.